SPLIT ENDS: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as a Mirror to Wholeness

by Stamatina Daniilidis

One thing sufferers of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder tend to agree upon is that intuition vs. fear is virtually indistinguishable. How can we know if our obsessive intrusive thoughts are coming from an intentional place inside of us or are simply the product of meaningless pathology and faulty brain circuitry? Yet, in her clinical treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Stamatina Daniilidis knew her intuition was incontestable: that the intrusive thoughts she couldn’t shake were indeed coming from her. More specifically, her unconscious. This realization in her journey terrified her the most yet allowed her to access a key to inner liberation. Through learning to relate to her own OCD as a vehicle through which to practice unconditional self-acceptance - in getting symbolically acquainted with the darkest recesses of her psyche - Stamatina has learned to access a window of gentleness, forgiveness, and unparalleled depth within herself… where every part of her has a seat at the table. In SPLIT ENDS, she challenges the blindspots of clinical therapy. She takes readers through her painstakingly humbling journey of over 15 years with this dis-order wherein she experiences devastations and revelations and hopes to serve as a mirror to others carrying a similar cross.

116 pages, Paperback

Published August 21, 2024

About the author

Stamatina Daniilidis is the author and writer of her debut book SPLIT ENDS. She is an outreach worker for people experiencing homelessness and spearheads her own branch of animal rights-related activism in her local community. Stamatina has been living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder since around age nine and hopes to help others dealing with the same condition primarily through her book, which she considers to be her advocacy. She has always considered herself a “disciple of the underdog” and hopes that even those who feel beyond the pale can come to know that they belong.

Reviews

[Piraveen Sasikumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fascinating, deep dive in to the world that is OCD. Often overlooked and misunderstood and framed as a quirk, OCD is much more nuanced and can impact one life tremendously. An important lesson learned is to love oneself unconditionally and not blame oneself for experiencing these intrusive thoughts. This book challenges standards practices in treating OCD, while being nuanced and also finding the positives in those methods. As someone who doesn’t suffer from this condition, this book really puts into perspective, how agonizing this condition can be. That solving the problem, requires a lot of internal reflection, acceptance, and being kind to one’s self. Really puts into perspective that all folks are fighting a battle no one knows about, it’s important to be kind, empathetic and understanding.

Really appreciated the except in this book pertaining to the homeless community and farmed animals. Both groups are which “pushed into the shadows” and “experiencing rejection by those around them”. Both groups representing “ scapegoats for our broken society”. Really powerful relating it to the OCD sufferer.

“The fear that one might be beyond the pale-spiritually, emotionally, socially— is the result of the cultural repression of the pain of the most wounded, and the unconscious of the OCD sufferer picks this up and sees their own potential in that.”

As an animal rights activist and someone who also relates to experiencing pain and empathizing with others suffering , this passage in particular spoke to me.

Would highly recommend this book to anyone, whether they suffer from OCD, and need help, or if they don’t but are curious to know how this conditions manifests in individuals. So masterfully written and expressed.

[Sylvain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stamatina shares a very personal and deep glimpse into her experience living with OCD. Through her journal entries and sharings, she provides the reader with information about OCD and possible avenues to deal with it and treat it.
A great book to learn about this little know (often misunderstood) condition through the eyes of someone who lives with it. And a great book for anyone who also lives with OCD and want to feel seen.

I very much enjoyed reading this book. It opened my eyes and helped me understand how OCD can be represented in individuals. Thank you for writing this book.